'American Idol' — The Audition

Heinz Field had filled with approximately 10,000 people screaming…”I’m the next American Idol” and no one wanted to take their seats. The excitement only mounted when one of the producers came out and started explaining how the behind-the-scenes would take place. We watched a large camera boom appear from the tunnels that the Pittsburgh Steelers Football Team normally uses during the season. It was huge and was stationed in front of the crowd.

Directions were given how some would hold the huge American Flag while others waived a “terrible towel”.  They chanted and stomped their feet in time with the music then on cue yelled…”I’m the next American Idol”. One guy was chosen from the crowd to scream…”Welcome to Pittsburgh!” The roar of the crowd followed him with clapping, yelling and people jumping up and down. It was a wild scene and I’m sure they heard them in China.

We were on the main level and you could feel the stadium shake as the crowd went crazy. The vibrations under your seats made you wonder, was this place going to hold up? Then I remembered Pittsburgh was notorious for their steel. All was good.

The flag was collected and it was time for the auditions to begin. The producer explained that by sections you would be escorted to the judging tents. (This was a row of 10 tents where the producers were). The first four rounds are with the producers. If you make it through all four rounds, you are invited back in October to audition before the judges. He continued to say, walk up in front of the tent, wait for them to point to you and sing one minute of a song. In that minute, make sure you show your vocal range, strength and most of all, personality. I can’t imagine how anything can be done in one minute. That’s hardly enough time to feel where the song is going. (I attached a video copy of Nikki's audition song—Summertime by George Gershwin.)

It was our turn to walk down to the field. Nikki had made friends with people from our section. One guy was in a wheelchair and the producers would not let his friend push him down to the field. He was 19-years-old and couldn’t have anyone go with him. Only minors and their parents were allowed to go together. This was truly a confidential-walk-of-fame. He was concerned that he wasn’t going to be able to maneuver his wheelchair over the grass. Nikki walked up to him and introduced herself and took control of his wheelchair. She pushed him across the grassy field so he could audition, too. He turned to her and called her “his new best friend!” At that moment, Nikki had won the whole competition to me.

I realized maybe American Idol isn’t just about winning a recording contract and becoming famous. Maybe it’s a venue that allows special people to come together. 

In the beginning of the day we were strangers from different walks of life, different ages and different ethnic backgrounds. In a matter of a few minutes, the strangers became friends and had a common ground…MUSIC. They were harmonizing and singing as though they were together practicing for years. Maybe it’s true what has been said, “Strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet.”

We rounded the warning track and went to the tents. At this point we were separated. She went to the “tent” and I went to a holding area with other parents anxiously waiting. There were two exits from the back of the tent. One way went to round two, next level of producers. The other exit was a “thanks-for-trying-out”. In my time in the holding area I didn’t see anyone go to the next round. 

Nikki came out of the tent looking sad. After her audition was done, she was told that she didn’t advance to the next round. She realized that she’s young and can audition again. The person in line behind her made the top 100 last year and had auditioned many times before for American Idol.

Overall, the American Idol experience was well worth the drive to Pittsburgh. A number of new friendships were made and we got to see the “behind-the-scenes” of the show. Most important, we got to share them with you! 

Nikki won’t be the next American Idol. The compassion she had for that man in the wheelchair will be with me forever. I guess that makes her my Idol.